schoolroom, which was in another corner of
the premises. First, there was a writing
lesson. Then came lessons in geography and
history. Ragged Robin had never learnt
geography before; but guessed it must be
something very interesting when she heard
one of the girls say that she lay awake at
night to tell her eldest sister, who was at
service during the day, Miss Anna's story
about Norway. At the history lesson, two
girls argued the point whether the horses of
the Britons were kind to stand still in the
scythe-wheeled chariots, till their masters
were out of danger; or cruel, to drag the
chariots among the enemy (of course, the
horses were free agents, and conscious of
what they did). The humble cottage in
Britain of Caractacus touched them more
than anything; but led to the inquiry how a
king came to dwell in a cottage ? All
sympathies went with the Britons; and, when the
narrative came to the point where the
Romans have to call forces from Britain to
defend their threatened country, the triumph
of the children was unbounded; and such
exclamations as, " Ah! it was their turn
then! " resounded on all sides.

During the last summer Miss O. P. Q.
received an invitation from a friend of hers to
take the little upholsterers for a day's
pleasure at a country-house. Twenty-five went
in a van. Unfortunately they had a wet day:
but all enjoyed the drive, and kept up their
spirits by loud choruses. Many of the girls
had scarcely ever — some had never — seen the
country. The little gardens at Milend
called forth shouts of delight; how much more
the rose-covered cottages and corn-fields, as
they travelled on ? Not one of them had ever
seen corn-fields at harvest time. Ragged
Robin was quite fascinated by a garden full of
large green cabbages, on which the rain-drops
hung, with scarlet-runners shooting up
between. They passed a windmill — its
construction was explained to them, and their
delight was great, for they had sung a song
about a windmill, which they said they never
before understood. It is hard to realise the
dreariness of ignorance like this in our town
alleys; and yet, to how many does it spare
the pain of an intolerable contrast! So far all
had been laughing and talking; but, on
entering a fine elm-tree avenue leading to the
house they visited, they were subdued and
became silent. They were gladly welcomed,
and despatched presently with umbrellas and
over-shoes to explore the grounds, where
they were especially astonished at the large
conservatories, those circular walls of splendid
plants. One child timidly asked, whether
she might pick up some dead rose-leaves to
carry home ? They visited the rabbits, poultry,
pheasants, dogs, and horses. Dinner was laid
in a long room apart from the house. Vases
of bright flowers stood on the table; and, in
the centre, stood a vase of corn, and of fern and
other leaves; picture-books for the children
to look at lay on tables about the room.
During dinner one of the young ladies played
on the piano. One child lowered knife and
fork gradually till they rested on the plate;
her eyes, full of wonder, lightened into
admiration, then into delight, and last a
smile passed over the careworn little face.
By-and-by entered a large dog, wet with
rain, exciting great commotion. He drew
some of the party to the lawn to play with
him, whilst others closed round the piano.
Some went to the top of the house to see the
view, others went to the boat on the lake.
A sudden thunder-storm diversified the
entertainment.

In the course of the afternoon a son of the
house desired to take a photograph of the
party. They were arranged, — some standing,
some sitting, some with flowers. The
difficulty was that, if one held a flower, all the
others wished to hold one also, which the
young artist declared to be against the rules
of composition. The children wished Miss
O. P. Q. to come into the group; and then each
wanted to be taken sitting by her side. When
all was settled, great misfortune got among
the chemicals, and the photograph did not
succeed.

At tea-time each girl found a bunch of
flowers by her plate, gathered for her by the
children of the family. In returning home
—each with flowers — the upholsterers were
more wild with delight than they had been
in going, each talking of what she had liked
best. Little Robin quietly said:

"I shall never throw away my flowers."

"But they will die."

"Yes," she replied. " But I shall never
throw them away."

Poor baby, they soon became her only
treasure. After she had been some time at
the school, Miss O. P. Q. found it necessary to
send word to her mother that she wished she
would keep her daughter clean, as cleanliness
was indispensable. For several days after
that the child did not come, and at last the
mother sent word that she " would not let
her go back to work, because of Miss O. P. Q.'s
message; but she was much obliged for the
shoes and frock."

Weeks after wards, poor Ragged Robin came
one afternoon with a baby in her arms, and
two little ones dragging at her ragged frock.
They had trooped all the way from Clerkenwell
"just only to see Miss O. P. Q."
Ragged Robin was a very little child, whose
growth had been stunted by nursing children
nearly as big as herself. She tottered
under her burden and almost fell as she
climbed the work-room stairs. Miss O. P. Q.
was not at home, and, after waiting as long
as she could, in hope that she would come,
Eobin toiled painfully back with her three
brothers. Next day the gentle teacher
went herself to Robin's house. It looked
too dirty to enter; but one of the girls
who acted as guide mounted the stairs, and